Preparing H2SO4: Burning Match Heads?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the preparation of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) using match heads as a source of sulfur. Participants explore various methods for generating sulfur dioxide (SO2) from burning match heads and discuss the feasibility and purity of the resulting acid.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes burning match heads to produce SO2, which could then be dissolved in water to form sulfurous acid (H2SO3), followed by heating to yield sulfuric acid and elemental sulfur.
  • Another participant questions how to effectively collect the SO2 gas produced during combustion.
  • A participant suggests various unscientific methods for collecting SO2, such as using a plastic bag or a bottle submerged in water.
  • One participant argues that the method will not yield pure sulfuric acid due to the impurities in match heads and the differences in composition between safety matches and strike-anywhere matches.
  • Another participant recommends electrolysis of a sulfate solution as a safer and more effective method for synthesizing sulfuric acid.
  • Some participants suggest purchasing commercially available sulfuric acid or sodium bisulfate (NaHSO4) instead of attempting synthesis.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the feasibility and purity of synthesizing sulfuric acid from match heads. While some explore the idea, others strongly advise against it, suggesting alternative methods or commercial products instead.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the potential for impurities in the proposed synthesis method and the differences in match head compositions, which may affect the outcome. There is also mention of safety concerns regarding the methods discussed.

thunderfvck
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Hi.
Okay, I would like to make some sulphuric acid. I know that I can probably find it OTC (and mixed with other potential CRAP), but it's more fun experimenting. I was reading a site which was discussing the preparation of sulphuric acid and it got me excited.
So, as far as I know, sulfur is in match head tips. And a bunch of other garbage including phosphorous. SO, can I simply burn a bunch of match heads and pass it through water to form sulphurous acid:

SO2 + H2O --> H2SO3

Then, according to this website, heat can be applied (150C) to the solution while being refluxed and...

3H2SO3 ---> 2H2SO4 + H2O + S

Which would yield me some pure sulfur in addition to some sulphuric acid, which would be very exciting. So, what do you think? Would it work? Well I guess it WOULD work provided I produce SO2 in my match head burnings. But there has got to be a lot of other stuff in that smoke, but I don't know. If I wanted pure sulphuric acid I could always collect enough of the sulfur that is formed in the reaction and just burn that.
Sooo...?
 
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How are you going to collect the SO2 if it's a gas?
 
Hmmm. Good question.
Okay, I guess I can do it a number of ways. A very unscientific way would be lighting the matches underneath a plastic ziplock bag so that all the smoke goes into the bag. THen I put the bag underwater and put a hole in it. I think that would work pretty nicely. If I saturate the bag with smoke then I'd be rocking. I can also just make the hole prior putting it under and then just submerge the bag (just so the hole has gone under) and squeeze at a nice rate. The smoke could be too hot though, and it would cause my bag to melt, but in that case I could always use plastic or something (a bottle).

I guess I could also fill a bottle with smoke, with a tube coming out the top going inside the water, and then invert the bottle into the water. THe water would force the smoke out the hole and into the tube which then goes to the water.

Not bad? Better ideas?
 
Last edited:
No, this won't work. For starters you won't be making pure anything, as the match heads, if they contain sulphur at all, will have it as a minor constituent. Not to mention there is a difference between the composition of safety matches and strike-anywhere matches. Any sulphuric acid made from this route would be so impure as to be completey useless as a reagent in even the most low-tech chemistry lab.

If you insist on trying to synthesise this chemical, a better route would be to attempt electrolysis of a sulphate solution. this would have a better chance of yielding a product that could have some use in a home laboratory, and would certainly be a lot safer as a process.
 
...or to simply buy a Clear-Line drain cleaner product that's 98% H2SO4...
 
I need for simple method for H2so4 preparation
 
Consider dissolving SO2 formed by burning sulfur into a hydrogen peroxide solution.. this will oxidize the H2SO3 into H2SO4.. but really just buy it if you can...

Also consider just buying NaHSO4... it works great for a lot of things check this out: http://indiescience.org/chemtalk/index.php?topic=31.0
 
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